This Ain't Jersey Shore

There is no doubt I have cabin fever in a big time way. Here in Minnesota we have had record snow falls and with every additional inch of snow my fever increases ten fold.

So what is a guy to do? I've sorted my tackle three times over. I've cleaned my reels, checked my guides for nicks, reloaded on YUM dingers, money minnows and finesse worms. I've even hunted for that elusive KVD 1.5 chartruse/black square bill that will clearly win me every tournament this year (for those that don't know me, insert a liberal amount of sarcasm here). Actually who am I kidding, I will really buy that crankbait.

So what's left? I ask myself, what more could a weekend wannabe like myself need or want......and then it hits me like a plug to the back of the head. A fishing jersey. Yes how perfect an idea. I've got plenty of hockey jerseys of various teams. Why not a fishing jersey of my favorite Elite pro or two. And best of all is that I can pass it off as a garment to protect me from the sun. Because as I'm explaining to my wife why I've purchased this walking billboard to wear fishing, I inform her that it's 95% UV effective. Her response of course has to be something like, "oh honey, what a wonderful idea. You should probably get two just incase one gets dirty".

Ike expressing my excitment

Great, the decision is made and I'm willing to plunk down 40-80 bucks on this jersey idea.

So I begin my quest. First I need to determine my search criteria. I'm really looking for a replica Elite Series Anglers Jersey like Ike, KVD, E2, or Remitz. I hit up the anglers websites, main sponsor sites, bassmaster.com, tackle retailers, The google and The Amazon. I find a few generic tournament jerseys from Nitro, Ranger, Skeeter for example but nothing in the form of a Elite replica. Well at least nothing affordable anyway.  Ike and KVD do sell "game worn" and autographed jerseys for $299 and $499 respectively. Um.....Fail?! I was thinking something at a fraction of the cost. While I love those two anglers, I don't want to spend almost $500 so I can not only wear their shirt but also know what they smell like. Come on boys, what about the little people?

Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha' gunna do

This leads me to wonder, are the pro's missing a great opportunity here? You have replica jerseys for almost every other sport. Why not fishing? One initial thought is that perhaps sponsors don't want some jackwagon showing up on an episode of Cops wearing said replica jersey with their logo front and center. But really the same could be said for me wearing my replica Wild jersey. Yet they still sell them and reap millions. And other than our tour guide in Finland and a kid at Wendy's, I've never been mistaken for a professional hockey player.

Anyone have any idea where or who might carry replica jerseys? Am I the only rube that would be interested in this sort of thing? I love to hear any thoughts or leads you have.

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This Is Why I Like Ike

I have always liked Mike Iaconelli. Straight from the live blog covering the classic comes this;

I saw something happen this morning at the dock that probably wouldn't happen in any other professional sport. Mike Iaconelli was at the dock meeting with his cameraman, and getting the video gear organized in his boat. Several members of the media were around him asking for interviews. And of course he obliged. In between interviews with reporters with big fancy television cameras, a guy with a little camcorder made his way to Ike. When it came his turn in line to speak to him, the guy asked Iaconelli if he would shoot a video for his daughter who loved Ike but was back home. They then proceeded to shoot a funny shtick where the guy pretended to steal Iaconelli's bait.

In what other sport could a fan approach a competitor on the morning of game day at the world championship and shoot a funny video for his kid back home? In what other sport would one of the biggest stars take the time to play with him?

-- Angie Thompson


Just another example of why I like Ike and the Elite Series.


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